Thought for Today
Genesis 1:2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.
Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Mark 3:28 "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
I took both Greek and Hebrew in seminary. Both were requirements of the seminary and of my denomination for ministers. More than once, I have been asked “Why?” Why should ministers (or anyone else) study ‘dead’ languages? Greek and Hebrew are spoken today; but, neither modern language is identical to the spoken and written languages of the Bible. So, why study them? The argument is usually advanced that sufficient commentaries have long been available to obviate the necessity of studying such ancient languages.
We will read John 14:26 tomorrow as part of our New Testament reading. It is part of the lectionary passage assigned for tomorrow in the Revised Common Lectionary used throughout Christendom. Christians across the globe will read and hear about the Holy Spirit.
My words tomorrow will be influenced by some of what I learned by studying those 2 ‘dead’ languages. Neither of those languages is ‘dead’ in my mind or in my thoughts. Both heavily influence my thoughts, my sermons, even my prayers.
Reformed Christians are Trinitarian. We believe in one God in three Persons. God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Knowing the Greek of the Bible, I recognize that third Person as τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, the Holy Spirit. Having studied those original languages of the Bible, I know that in each language, the word translated into English as ‘spirit’ has several other meanings and usages in scripture. Genesis 1:2 is sometimes translated “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (1:2 KJV) It could also be translated “the breath of God moved over the waters.”
My Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms offers “Septuagint (LXX) The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek completed approximately a century before Christ. Its name derives from the tradition that it was the work of seventy . . . men. It was the Bible of the early church . . . “ Those men were Greek speaking Jews compiling a version of their Scriptures in the common academic language of their day.
Knowing those 2 ancient languages opens for me some very helpful insights into their understandings of God, Creation and our place in the grand scheme of things. When I read John 14:26, I am reminded of Genesis 1:2 and the idea that forms in my own mind is that I am promised I will be taught by the very breath of my Creator God. The promised Advocate who will teach me “everything” is also the very breath of God which “swept over the face of the waters.”
Does any of that truly make any difference? I believe so. I am convinced in the certainty and truthfulness of the guidance I receive from the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is the very breath of our Creator God. I also am reminded that “Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” I live because God has breathed God’s breath into my nostrils. That same breath is the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit is my teacher and guide to tutor me in the path my God-given life should take. That same Holy Spirit is always within me to remind me of everything Jesus said and did. That same Holy Spirit is my (and your) personal Advocate. An advocate is “someone who publicly supports or suggests an idea, development, or way of doing something. It can also refer to a person (such as a lawyer) who works and argues in support of another’s cause, especially in court.” (Cambridge University Press) God’s very breath is my personal Advocate . . . and yours.
Stay safe, heed your Advocate, trust God,
Pastor Ray